Last month I shared my Winter Storm Emergency Preparedness list, with a host of items to make sure you’re prepared for extended power loss during a winter storm. One of the items I included was a portable charger; a must have if you, like me, no longer have a landline. I keep a myCharge Energy Shot in my purse, in case of emergencies, which gives me an additional nine hours of charge. Today I’m sharing an awesome myCharge campaign with you, my readers.

Are you ready to Rock it Up? Rock-a-Bums is excited to announce the release of their new prints! Available now, these 4 hip prints are sure to bring the rockstar in your little one! Without further adieu: [Read more…]

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Indyposted, a newsmedia site offering breaking news daily in all areas of interest (politics, entertainment, sports, U.S., etc.) is sponsoring a giveaway for my cloth diapering fans. Indyposted knows how hard it is to find time to stay up-to-date with news when you’re wrangling a baby, but they make it easy for you to check headlines & breaking news in a snap.

One winner will receive a $25 gift certificate to Diaper Junction. This contest is open to adults, 18 and older, worldwide. Should a winner be chosen outside of the continental U.S., that winner will receive $25 in PayPal cash instead.

This event is one of a kind, You can either opt for a $50 Nicki’s Gift Card and get your little one some great items or if you live outside of the US get $50 in Paypal Cash!

The choice is yours!

So enter below for your chance to win this great product!

1 Winner will get their choice of Nicki’s Diaper Gift card or if outside the US $50 Paypal Cash. Giveaway ends on 3/5 at 11:59pm!

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveawayDisclosure: This blog is not responsible for the fulfillment of prize, Conservamom was compensated either by free product or payment. I have not been compensated for this post. This giveaway is in no way associated with, sponsored, administered, or endorsed by Facebook, Twitter, Google, Pinterest or any other social media network.All opinions and experiences are my own. Open to the US, must be 18+. Confirmed Winner(s) will be contacted by email and have 48 hours to respond before a new winner will be drawn. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. The sponsor(s) will be responsible for product shipment to winner(s) of the giveaway. Sponsor will be responsible for prize fulfillment. The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. For questions you can contact Elia At Conservamom

This means that your family is getting only the purest of products to help clean your home environment. From laundry detergents to pet care products, you will find a product to help your family live a less chemical-laden life.

a Rafflecopter giveawayDisclosure: This blog is not responsible for the fullfilment of prize, Conservamom was compensated either by free product or payment. I have not been compensated for this post. This giveaway is in no way associated with, sponsored, administered, or endorsed by Facebook, Twitter, Google, Pinterest or any other social media network.All opinions and experiences are my own. Open to the US, must be 18+. Confirmed Winner(s) will be contacted by email and have 48 hours to respond before a new winner will be drawn. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. The sponsor(s) will be responsible for product shipment to winner(s) of the giveaway. Sponsor will be responsible for prize fulfillment. The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. For questions you can contact Elia At Conservamom

Since Declan’s arrival, I’ve admittedly not made a lot of time for myself. To be honest, carving out “me” time is a constant struggle, but I am slowly finding small ways to ‘treat’ myself. This week, I’d like to share with you one of the small ways I do something for myself: handcrafted soaps.

I’ve talked about how even putting on daily lotion can be a stretch, but I’ll let you in on a little secret: Stargazer Soaps. I’ve heard so many of my friends talk about being unable to even shower daily…and this is the one thing I refuse to sacrifice as a busy mom. My daily 10 minute shower is sacred. There is NO way I will let that little sliver of “me” time slip out of my daily routine. While both relaxing and revitalizing, the shower is also where some of my greatest ideas are hatched. Add in Stargazer Soaps natural, handcrafted soaps and those ten minutes are like a mini-spa!

I recently featured Nicole, the owner/artisan behind Stargazer Soaps, in my WAHM Mondays series, and was very interested to read about the soap-making process [and appalled to read about the chemicals that go into commercial soaps]. You can read more about Stargazer Soaps HERE.

I was sent three different soaps to review: two from the Purely Natural line (Lemongrass Butter & Grapfruit), and one from the Creamy Silk line (Rainbow). I have sensitive skin, and am very sensitive to smells, so the Purely Natural line of soaps is perfect for me (no artificial fragrances or coloring). I was also interested in trying the Creamy Silk line, made from coconut oil, shea butter, olive oil, palm oil, and many other wonderfully natural ingredients that keep your skin silky smooth!

I started with the Lemongrass Butter Purely Natural soap by Stargazer Soaps and absolutely love the fresh scent and moisturizing effects. As previously stated, I have a sensitivity to smells, especially artificial fragrances. If I’m visiting a friend with a scented candle, or walk by the candle or fragrance sections in a department store, it’s usually a matter of minutes before I have a pounding headache and an upset stomach. My soaps from Stargazer Soaps, with their natural fragrances, are absolutely divine! The Lemongrass is such a bright scent that it is perfect for perking me up during my morning shower!

While I will typically use almost any soap I can get my hands on (it’s faster and easier), my husband has a “thing” for artisanal soaps. Nicole sent me some soaps for him to try a couple of months ago, but at the time, I didn’t think about myself. One of the soaps that I ordered was Coffee in the Purely Natural line. Declan loved smelling the soap in its wrapper, and my husband has loved using it since opening. There is a Stargazer Soap for everyone in the family! (I’m just glad I now have the chance to treat myself)

I’m loving my Stargazer Soaps, as is my husband, and I’ve already got my eye on trying Lavender the next time we order. Take my word for it, do something nice for yourself and treat yourself to Stargazer Soaps’ natural, handcrafted soaps. Consider this ‘treat’ a necessary step in being good to yourself (sometimes it’s all about the little things). Stargazer Soaps make great hostess gifts too…

Welcome to the ‘Fanny Foozle: The Four Leaf Fantuckle Festival’ Book Giveaway sponsored by Fanny Foozle and hosted by The Parenting Patch & The Median Mommy!

Fanny Foozle is pink and lives in the town of Flamboozle with her Foodle Dog Sam. Every day is a fantastic adventure, a folly and a big surprise. So come bounce along with Fanny Foozle in the town of Flamboozle!

One lucky reader of The Parenting Patch will win one (1) copy of the ‘Fanny Foozle: The Four Leaf Fantuckle Festival’ book. To enter for your chance to win the ‘Fanny Foozle: The Four Leaf Fantuckle Festival’ Book Giveaway, simply use the following Rafflecopter form. Good luck! Happy reading!

The ‘Fanny Foozle: The Four Leaf Fantuckle Festival’ Book Giveaway is restricted to legal residents of the United States of America. The ‘Fanny Foozle: The Four Leaf Fantuckle Festival’ Book Giveaway ends at midnight CST on February 4, 2014. One winner will be chosen at random via Rafflecopter. The winner will be sent an email and will have forty-eight hours to respond. If no response is received within forty-eight hours, another winner will be chosen. The Parenting Patch and other participating blogs are not responsible for prize fulfillment.

To celebrate Cuddle Up Day on January 6th, Daily Digest is giving the gift of fluff to cuddle with your little one! Two (2) lucky readers of The Parenting Patch and the Daily Digest will each win one (1) $50 gift card to Nicki’s Diapers.

To enter for your chance to win the Cuddle Up Day $50 Nicki’s Diapers Giveaway, simply use the following Rafflecopter form. Good luck! Happy Cuddle Up Day!

The Cuddle Up Day $50 Nicki’s Diapers Giveaway is open worldwide. An international winner will receive $50 via PayPal in lieu of the specified prize. The Cuddle Up Day $50 Nicki’s Diapers Giveaway ends at midnight CST on January 20, 2014. Two winners will be chosen at random via Rafflecopter. The winners will be sent an email and will have forty-eight hours to respond. If no response is received within forty-eight hours, another winner will be chosen. The Parenting Patch and The Median Mommy are not responsible for prize fulfillment.

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*I was provided product, at no charge to myself, in exchange for my honest review. This post contains affiliate links.

The Smart Bottoms Smart One 3.0 is a diaper I kept hearing a buzz about, so naturally I was curious to try a Smart One 3.0 on my little guy. I was delighted to have the opportunity to review the Smart One 3.0, and I was sent one of their bright and beautiful color combinations to try: Juliet.

There are so many smart features about the Smart Bottoms Smart One 3.0, that make cloth diapering functional, fun, and stylish! The Smart One 3.0 is a one-size diaper with 4 rise settings, fitting babies from 8-35 pounds; for the average-sized baby, the Smart One is the only cloth diaper you will need to take you from birth to potty training. The PUL outer shell keeps wetness in, while the organic cotton inner and ten-layer soaker make sure that moisture is absorbed and distributed without irritating baby’s sensitive skin.

Since I have a boy, I need all of the absorbency I can get in the front of the diaper, which is why the Smart Bottoms Smart One 3.0‘s attached soaker is my favorite feature.

I’m able to fold the soaker in the front, for maximum absorbency, which alleviates unnecessary bulk in the back of the diaper (which you often have in all-in-ones). The Smart One’s attached soaker maintains a trim fit, without sacrificing absorbency, and allows for a quicker drying time (major bonus in my opinion).

The fit of the Smart One 3.0 is another feature that makes this diaper a winner for us, it’s almost as though this diaper was made specifically for Declan. Two rows of snaps for the waist tabs anchor the waistband in place, without being too snug or digging into Declan; I often have to snap the waist tightly, with other diapers, to prevent a gap in the front waist. The fit in the legs is perfect for a mobile baby, with fleece covering the elastic and preventing chafing (in the lower right corner you can see the chafing caused by D’s previous diaper).

In a nutshell, the Smart Bottoms Smart One 3.0:

is 100% made in the USA (bonus!)

has a trim fit

features an attached organic cotton soaker, allowing you to adjust where you need the most absorbency

the attached organic cotton soaker makes for a much quicker drying time than most AIO diapers

comes in an array of fun colors combinations and prints (diaper style is important, after all)

I have to say that the Smart One definitely lived up to its reputation. Not only am I pleased with the performance of this diaper, but I am also impressed by the quality workmanship and the vivid colors and patterns available. If I had to start my cloth diaper stash from scratch, Smart Bottom Smart Ones would definitely make up a good part of my collection.

For more information about Smart Bottoms diapers, visit www.smartbottoms.com. To find out the latest product news, you can connect with Smart Bottoms via Facebook and Twitter.

Interested in purchasing Smart Bottoms diapers? You can order yours HERE.

Christmas is around the corner, and if you are worried that there will not be enough fluff under the tree, you have come to the right place! One lucky reader win a $50.00 Imagine baby gift certificate to spend on any items of his/her choice. All you need to do is enter on the Rafflecopter form below! There is one mandatory entry, but you can greatly improve your chances of winning by finding the most recent Imagine diaper prints on a few of the participating blogs. Don’t worry, you will get hints on where to look!

Giveaway begins on December 12th, at 12 am EST and ends on December 27th, at 12 am EST. Open to all residents of US & CAN, 18 years and older. Good luck, and Merry Christmas!

Disclosure : One winner will be chosen at random via Rafflecopter. The winner will be sent an email and will have 48 hours to respond. If no response is received within 48 hours, another winner will be chosen. The Median Mommy is not responsible for prize fulfillment. If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail Alanna at leettlebaby (at) yahoo (dot) com. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or any other social media outlet. Page may include affiliate links.

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Lauren B. Stevens is a former publishing rep-turned-writer, whose work can be found on ChildVantage, The Huffington Post, Scary Mommy and Care.com, among many other websites. When she's not chasing her precocious preschooler, Lauren pens hilarious and heartwarming stories about her life as a mother, ghostwrites blogs for businesses, and sometimes even finds the time to write a bit of creative non-fiction.
Look for Lauren's published essays in the books listed below: